Cinemax has set October 19, 2012 as the premiere date for their new dramatic series, Hunted, from X-Files writer/producer Frank Spotnitz. The eight episode series stars Melissa George, Adam Rayner, Stephen Dillane, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and marks the second original primetime series ever to air on Cinemax (Strike Back was the first).

The Plot:

“Hunted follows two primary story lines: Sam Hunter’s journey to discover who is behind the attempt on her life and Byzantium’s mission itself, both of which have larger implications. As the story unfolds, it becomes hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Uncertain of its clients’ motives, the Byzantium team often finds itself working in a gray area, forcing Sam to operate in complete secrecy for her own safety.”

George stars as Sam and she says the character is someone you’d never want to cross. “She is still the firm’s best operative, but since the attempt on her life, any trust she had for the firm and her co-workers is gone. That is why she is so determined to go back to work and face her team – she really believes that one of them is behind it. She is a very complicated person and not easy to get to know,” offered George.

Discussing the series, creator Frank Spotnitz explained, “I love the spy genre. It’s one of my all-time favorite things. I grew up watching so many spy movies and shows. Because the viewing choices have never been greater on television, no longer does the work have to be homogenized the way it used to. It has allowed writers and producers to do really interesting, sophisticated work. I think that television’s never been better than it is today because of that – because of the freedom you have as a creator.”

Hunted October 2012 Episodes

Episode #1: “Mort”
Debut date: FRIDAY, OCT. 19 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other CINEMAX playdates: Oct. 19 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 20 (9:00 p.m., 11:50 p.m.), 21 (12:45 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 22 (11:50 p.m.), 23 (12:20 a.m.), 24 (8:00 p.m.) and 31 (7:00 p.m.), and Nov. 7 (6:00 p.m.), 14 (5:00 p.m.), 21 (4:00 p.m.) and 28 (3:00 p.m.)
Sam Hunter (Melissa George), an operative for the elite private intelligence and security firm Byzantium, is finishing a mission in Tangier when an attempt on her life leaves her critically injured. Not knowing who tried to kill her, she disappears to a remote location to recover, regroup and retrain. Returning to work unannounced nearly a year later, Sam surprises her co-workers, who are suspicious about her disappearance, especially Aidan Marsh (Adam Rayner), her secret lover. Her bosses, Rupert Keel (Stephen Dillane) and Deacon Crane (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), retain doubts about her, but need their best agent for an important new assignment. The team devises a plan to have Sam infiltrate a family headed by powerful millionaire Jack Turner (Patrick Malahide), a man with a criminal past whose ambitions are at odds with Byzantium’s secret client.
Written by Frank Spotnitz; directed by SJ Clarkson.

Journalist covering the entertainment industry for more than 15 years. Member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and President of the San Diego Film Critics Society.